Bal Harbour, FL – April 10, 2019 – In the company of influential guests from Miami’s vibrant cultural and social scene, De Beers celebrated its new home in Bal Harbour Shops with an exclusive, art-inspired experience in collaboration with Miami-based artist Deon Rubi and Nathaly Charria at Le Sirenuse Miami, The Four Seasons Surfside. With Experiential Creative Direction by Nathaly, the project featured a site-specific installation that brought to life the image of Deon’s limited edition cover of the De Beer’s Assouline book.

I wanted to create an experience using nature as a sculptural object and water as a medium for lightness, transparency and reflection, tuning into De Beers’ commitment to beauty through the natural world. Looking through water creates a moment where time is suspended, like holding your breath, like looking closely at a diamond. In water, everything gets emphasized, augmented, full of texture, lines and colors.

Pawesome portraits, sound-triggered selfies and a race against the self timer: we wanted to see what three New York City-based artists could do with the creative modes on the OneStep+ camera. The results, we’re happy to report, are wild. So we sat down with each of them to talk inspiration, the meaning of art in the modern world and their respective connections to Polaroid film. Now, meet Gus, Grace and David for yourself.

Photo by Daniel Dorsa

Independent musician Gus Dapperton categorizes his own creativity, in a particular, as emotional release. “I don’t get writers block because I would never force myself to write,” he tells us. “The music I hear in my head is built by everyone I love, everyone I pass on the street. I’m only here to translate it sonically.”

We had to wonder then, what, if any, inspiration New York contributes to that process for him. “Inspiration finds me daily through love and hate. I am inspired by words, phrases, pain, pleasure and changes in my environment,” he explains. “I make art in order to live and New York City reminds me to live fast. The pain is bearable here and it’s nice to be surrounded by like-minded people with great work ethics.” To that end, he creates dreamy, retro sounds that feel both universally nostalgic and personally poignant.

“Exploring new and innovative ways to create means a lot to me. I would never try to create something that has already been produced. I strive to say things that have never been said and make sounds that have never been heard.” It’s this philosophy, perhaps, that informs his spontaneous self-portraits created with the OneStep+, in which he lets his voice and music trigger the shutter. It takes the resulting image beyond direct artistic control.

“I think using the Noise Trigger gives a deeper meaning to the photo, if you think about that exact sound [that] triggered [it]. I think if I went back and looked at those photos their, coinciding sounds would play in my head and provoke emotions in me I had initially used to create the sounds.”

Photo by Daniel Dorsa

On the other hand is photographic artist David Brandon Geeting, who cites a more lighthearted approach to his work. “Playfulness is maybe the most important aspect of my creative process,” he says, citing it as one of many reasons he was curious to experiment with the OneStep+. “As an artist, I like to keep all possibilities open, so to be able to use a film camera and see instant test results is amazing.”

It’s not Geeting’s first analog instant rodeo either. His parents had a Polaroid camera when he was a kid: “I couldn’t believe a camera could provide instant results, it seemed too good to be true,” he reflects. “In an age where everything seems to be created digitally, film photography is having a real renaissance in an attempt to reconnect with tangibility. The new OneStep+ camera seems like a perfect marriage of the two — controlled digitally but printed physically. I think it really speaks to creatives’ needs right now.”

His choice to create surreal still-lives, racing against the Self Timer mode countdown for a chaotic but dynamic project, goes hand-in-hand with his feelings on how his photograph work expands and changes over time. “My creative process is constantly shifting and adapting to my environment,” he says. “I’m not so much interested in photography’s ability to capture reality, but rather how it transforms and abstracts it’s subject matter. I am using the world around me to make fantasy photographs.”

Interestingly, when he talks about the aspects of life that inspire him, he echoes certain sentiments expressed by Dapperton — especially when it comes to New York City. “Most of my inspiration comes from taking walks, paying attention, and taking cues from the universe,” he says. “What you see on the street in New York City is often stranger than what your mind dreams up.” To wit, he has an upcoming book called Neighborhood Stroll which chronicles his walks around his home neighborhood of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, over the course of three years.

Photo by Daniel Dorsa

And the other New York creatives whose work he loves? “Zhongjia Sun — a queer, female, person of color, currently living in New York City as an immigrant from China. She makes enigmatic digital photographs that are straight from her wild imagination and seem unfiltered by anyone’s expectations of her.”

Grace Miceli, also a visual artist, works in illustration but is also a painter and animator. Her drawings, she says, aim to “explore vulnerabilities and everyday anxieties through the lens of cute imagery and humor.” Sounds like she and the OneStep+ are meant to be, doesn’t it? She agrees. “I think playfulness is an important way for me to activate my mind,” she says. “Having a light-hearted approach when I create helps guide me towards my most meaningful ideas, because it creates a comfortable environment for me to access my inner world.”

Similar to Geeting, it’s not the first step in her journey with Polaroid film and cameras. Hers actually began when she was a teenager. “When I first started to identify as an artist I was always taking Polaroid photos of my friends and drawing on them,” she remembers. “The accessibility and ease of use of the camera makes it exciting for anyone new looking to explore the possibilities of photography. Currently I’m really interested in the role that nostalgia plays in my work, so it has been fun to incorporate Polaroid [photographs] into that journey.”

She was particularly drawn to the possibilities of Portrait Mode, and using it on unexpected (but no less worthwhile) subjects. It’s helped her rediscover the medium she first felt connected with as an artist. She hopes to continue beyond this specific project, and expand the possibilities of the role instant photography can play for her, by “taking more portraits of my dog and of my friends and then maybe eventually turning those into paintings or illustrating around the frames.”

And what does one artist who started early have to say to anyone else starting down their own creative path, right now? “Reach out and connect with your peers! So much growth and learning comes from collaboration.” We couldn’t agree more.

‘She broke the glass ceiling.’

What a jagged image we use for women who achieve greatly, defining accomplishment in terms of the barrier rather than the triumph. There she is up where the air is thin, where men still outnumber women, but where the altitude is awesome. Our goal with Firsts, which we will continue to update as new barriers are broken, is for every woman and girl to find someone whose presence in the highest reaches of success says to her that it is safe to climb, come on up, the view is spectacular.

This Colombian born latina has made her way around the world but calls New York City home, she tells us why “por que mi mama me dijo que es la capital del mundo!” Google translate, it’s funny! She likes the idea of living in an area centrally located between Los Angeles and Europe, where much of her work takes place.

Charria’s very foundation of her practice, and the work ethic is shaped by being a Latin-American woman. She wears a badge of honor when representing Latinos around over the world, especially in metropolitan cities like Paris where Latinos are a minority amongst minorities. It was a natural fit for Charria to practice in Paris, since creativity is international this has allowed her to be in the right place at the right time. Charria’s work has taken her work around the world to include NYC, Los Angeles, Berlin, Madrid and Paris.

Portrait by Parker Day

Paris has always been home to great artists . She is most inspired by the underground and creative subcultures. Recently, she has been discovering a Parisian music scene that blends techno, world, and afro-beats. Her biggest inspiration though, is Gertrude Stein, an American woman living in 1920’s Paris best known for her auspicious gatherings. She discovered and mentored artists like Picasso, Hemingway, and Miró.

IN HER WORDS:

My path to Paris was the Rue de Fleurus, a personal pilgrimage to walk the streets where the greats have strolled. I love working with artists. Brand collaborations allow me to merge the two worlds in a way that feels authentic. My goal in this is to to contribute to developing a new economic system in which creativity holds the key. A highlight in my career was recreating David Lynch’s Red Room in collaboration with Polaroid Originals.

The David Lynch Foundation's Festival of Disruption made its NYC debut at Brooklyn Steel on May 19-20, 2018 for the powerful third iteration of the immersive festival experience. Curated by David Lynch, the festival featured a hand-selected line-up of artists, performers, film screenings, meditation, and art including the Eraserhead Experience.

Erik Martin, one of the festival’s producers, explained...that Lynch acts as the “curator in the truest sense of the word. He likens the creative process to transcendence. . . . He loves to find artists who he thinks are transcendent in each of those spaces—be it music or film or visual art.

— Vanity Fair

Images courtesy of David Lynch Foundation and Yeah Field Trip!

Upon arrival to the Festival of Disruption, attendees were greeted by dramatic black velvet drapery, inviting audiences to enter the world of David Lynch’s 1977 surrealist cinematic creation, Eraserhead. Presented by the David Lynch Foundation, The Criterion Collection, Polaroid Originals, and Bang & Olufsen; The Eraserhead Experience transported participants into Lynch's "dream of dark and troubling things.” Produced by Experiential Director Nathaly Charria, the high-touchpoint activation lured audiences into The Criterion Collection’s director approved restoration of Eraserhead screened on BeoVision Eclipse, courtesy of Bang & Olufsen.

Photos by Char Alfonzo

After stepping through the black drapes and setting foot on the hand-painted checkered floor, guests were surprised to find themselves on-stage, immersed in the realm of the iconic black & white film. In this key-moment the participant becomes The Lady in The Radiator. Through meticulous attention to detail and custom set design provided by Charria and her team, this multi-sensory experiential activation brought to life the feeling that “In heaven, everything is fine.”

To emphasize the instilled feeling of nostalgia, attendees were photographed with one-of-a-kind Polaroid picture, courtesy of Polaroid Originals.

Photo by Kris Mae

Proceeds from the festival benefit the David Lynch Foundation, whose mission is reducing toxic stress and trauma among at-risk populations, including victims of domestic violence, veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress (PTS), and underserved urban youth, through the evidence-based Transcendental Meditation technique. The Foundation has reached more than 500,000 people since founding in 2005. For additional information on the work of the Foundation, or to subscribe for news about its programs and events, visit www.davidlynchfoundation.org

Photography by Parker Day // Styling by Orchid Satellite // Creative Production by Nathaly Charria

Analog instant photography brand Polaroid Originals has teamed up with Californian photographer Parker Day to present “Still Got It” Campaign, a bold and playful series that represents decades of individuality, demonstrating that style is never a question of age. Best known for her hyper-saturated film photography that exaggerates the character of the personalities she shoots, Day’s photo series presents subjects like internet phenomenon Baddie WinkleI, Frances Davis(first wife of Miles Davis, actress, and first black ballerina in the Paris Opera Ballet), musician Shamon Cassette, curator Marc Ransdell-Bellinger, as well as actors Graham Mackie,Darla Parsen and Regina McKee Redwing. Captured in Day’s signature eye-popping style, the photos feature strong characters born from the 60s to the 80s – juxtaposed with individuals in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Each subject is portrayed with a Polaroid camera from that era, or with the recently launched Polaroid OneStep 2 camera, while the imagery showcases the fashion, hair and makeup of its time. Creative Production by Nathaly Charria.

The series also aims to emphasize how different generations can inspire each other. Special moments have been captured on Polaroid film for decades. The younger generation is now discovering how, in an increasingly digital and disposable world, Polaroid pictures are something to hold onto–this series brings back that good old-fashioned nostalgia with some added spunk.

A few years ago at Art Basel, a debate was hosted with the motion “The art world is a boys’ club.” The audience decided against it, but many are still left in the room thinking: “but is it?” We want to take the chance to celebrate women who have carved out space for themselves in this elusive yet exciting industry. THESE ARE WOMEN IN ART.

GY: Who are some of your favorite artists?

NC: My favorite artists are the risk-takers that forge their own path and are dedicated wholeheartedly to their practice — the artists who help one another and simultaneously have something to say, who wish to leave the world a better place then they found it. As for names, I’m currently representing Parker Day, a contemporary female photographer from Los Angeles who shoots portraits on 35mm film. Her work reminds me of some of my favorite established artists like Cindy Sherman, Diane Arbus, and Maurizio Cattelan.

GY: What is one of the best art experience you’ve had?

NC: I recently had the chance to work with Simon Birch bringing his creative vision to life at The 14th Factory in Los Angeles. The 14th Factory was a 3-acre group exhibition which expanded the way audiences experience art. I also recently did a studio visit with NYC-based painter Theresa Chromati whose work both excites and inspires me. Focusing on the black female form, Chromati paints lurid colors that are accentuated by movement and animated gestures.

GY: What do you like most about your job?

NC: It’s really more like what do I love most because it’s an act of love. Working with artists on telling their story through my curatorial practice is a dream come true. As a creative director and art producer, bringing visionary ideas to life gives me a sense of purpose. I love working with brands like Polaroid Originals on artists collaborations that use marketing as a platform for creative expression.

GY: Favorite city for an art lover?

NC: That’s a tough one! I think that every major city has a little something for everyone and the fun part is exploring to find it. The best way is by visiting the museums of what you’re into. I’m generally drawn to contemporary art museums and underground artist spaces, but sometimes I’m drawn in the opposite direction and so I find it’s important to keep an open mind. The art of a city is a reflection of its culture and its people. I recently visited Amman, Jordan and found myself enamored with its rich history and artifacts.

GY: If you have to be an artwork, you would be…..

NC: I’m like the Sagrada Familia by Gaudi…always a work in progress and never quite finished but clearly a masterpiece

Experiential agency Sense NYC celebrated their first year of business in the US with a collection of illustrations featuring the women that inspired the team in 2017. This initiative is a collaboration between Sense' favorite female Creative Director, Nathaly Charria, and their in-house illustrator, Alana McDowell in London. These diverse illustrations honor women who change the world through their unapologetic presence and self-expression. The project was featured in US Campaign, Media Post, WNW, and was the Women's Day Editor's Pick of Adweek.

Polaroid Originals made its retail debut as a new lifestyle brand at New York Now trade show 2018. Our team oversaw the development, production, design, and fabrication of the modular display. The goal was to target the lifestyle retail market by presenting the brand to buyers in an inspiring way, which allowed them to imaging how Polaroid Originals would be placed within their retail environments. New York Now is a trade event for buyers sourcing design-led products across the home, lifestyle, handmade and gift spectrum. It takes place in NYC at the Javits Center with 325+ members of the media attending.

Parker Day is the featured artist at this year's Startup Art Fair Los Angeles, on view Friday January 26th - Sunday January 27th at The Kinney in Venice. Parker will transform one of the mid century modern suites into a freaky art paradise that brings audiences into the sets of ICONS. Through bright colors and textures, Parker shares her body of work within a site-specific installation that differentiates from her traditional exhibitions. The project presents the second edition of ICONS published by Not A Cult and includes an artist talk and book signing.

Startup Art Fair is a contemporary art fair established by independent artists in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Founded by artist and educator Ray Beldner, and former gallery director Steve Zavattero, Startup Art Fair'smission is to provide a professional exhibition venue for independent artists where they can present and sell their work and foster relationships with emerging and established collectors.

Join us in Miami Saturday December 9th from 2:30pm-4:30pm at Casa Faena to celebrate the second edition of Parker Day's distinguished book, ICONS. Day's signature series blurs the line between reality and fantasy through a saturated view on the characterization of self.

Parker Dayis a Los Angeles-based artist whose work explores personality and identity. Through costuming and exaggerated expressions, Day highlights the truth of who and what she portrays. She deliberately eschews Photoshop in favor of in-camera capture on film. Lurid color bathes her work and heightens the surreality of her subjects while the grain and grit of the photographs make them palpably real. @heyparkerday